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Ancient farmers polluted St Kilda

Karin Goodwin

December 21 2003, 12:00am, The Sunday Times

Medieval peasants who burnt peat and fertilised land with fish bones and seabird carcasses now stand accused of polluting one of Scotland’s most pristine environmental havens. With its dramatic cliffs teeming with birdlife and wind-swept golden bays, St Kilda appears an idyllic example of man and nature living in harmony. An Aberdeen University biochemist has taken soil samples, however, that show the remote archipelago was an early victim of toxic metal and chemical poisoning.

Professor Andy Meharg of Aberdeen University’s biology department, found levels of arsenic, lead, zinc and cadmium, a poison now caused by heavy industry, which are 15 times the national average. Large quantities of cancer- causing dioxins were also found. Ironically, the traditional farming techniques admired by environmentalists were responsible for the…